ThePewterPalace Our Love Affair with Avions

If you are looking for an ideal overnight (or 2 nights!) ideally located to venture onto the Skyline Drive (at the SWIFT RUN GAP ENTRANCE) and the Shenandoah National Park this is a great and convenient alternative! The Shenandoah Heritage Market is located on RT 11 a stones throw from Interstate 81 in Virginia. The exit is easy off/on and has several gas stations, fast food and other services. They were able to accommodate our request for a 2-night stay in Sept 2025.

NOTE: You MUST be a Harvest Host member in good standing to stay here overnight. They DO have a specific reservation AND onsite check in process and once your stay is approved, you will be sent this information.

The marketplace is huge and holds a variety of shops UNDER ONE ROOF including; a quilt shop, one of the largest kitchen gadget stores we have ever seen, a western and saddlery shop, antique shops, a shop chocked full of homemade local jams & jellies, pickles, etc. as well as a general store “Gramma’s Pantry” with locally made crafts, cheeses, beef sticks, home decor and more. The prices at all the shops was very reasonable and the staff at each were friendly and efficient.

After we arrived we enjoyed a very tasty and freshly made Ruben sandwich with seasoned fries at their little indoor cafe which looks out on several of the shops. Kevin had been looking for a vintage style, hard sided suitcase that would fit our Gen 3 Starlink dish. He was leaving the market but I relented to say…lets just check this one more antiques for sale section…and WHOLLA!! there is was! I whipped out my handy travel tape measure and the Starlink would fit in it perfectly. Best part was it was tagged for only $10.00! We had anticipated paying at least 3 to 4 times that much for the perfect suitcase!

When we arrived about 3 pm we were the only overnight RVs in their dedicated “Harvest Host Guest Parking Area” and so we opted to park to the far right (east) side against the drying corn field. We knew it had just rained the day before so chances were good they would not be cutting the cornstalks down for silage just yet. However, be forwarned if you are parked there and the tractors start cutting we would NOT recommend parking there during cutting or you and your rig will be covered with silage dust and dirt. For us it was nice because it gave us total privacy on our street side. (

TIP! when staying at a HH location we do try to arrive earlier in the day (before 3 pm) so as to get our choice of spots-which sometimes are limited and can have difficult access especially for example if overnighting at a brewery or winery where after 4 pm they become very busy with customers.

NOTE: this is a totally DRY boondocking parking lot. You are typically allowed a 1 night stay but can request a second night according to their listing on HH. You MUST be a member of Harvest Host to stay overnight. Instructions will tell you where to check in, and they do monitor and have a reservation notebook with license plate/rig info.

This is a VERY popular HH location! The reviews had been excellent when we were doing our research and we can see why!

• The location has excellent and easy access from the interstate 81
• Gas stations just off the interstate exit and 1.5 miles from HH
• HH has large gravel, level lot. Follow their specific directions regarding parking though please- so you don’t wreck it for others
• The “market” has a wide variety of shops, a cafe eatery and friendly staff and is open (as of this writing) 7 days a week.
• We felt very safe and secure, even to leave our rig for the entire day. (we do use a very substantial hitch lock)
• Very little road noise from I-81 or RT 11 even though both are close.
• Clear demarcation of where HH guest RVs are to park and good solid gravel, do not think it would be too soft or muddy if rainy.
• This is DRY boondocking, no hookups available at all.
• Easy access to the Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive via RT 33 east
• Lots of retail shops and services in the area especially in Elkton on RT 33

Honestly the only “CON’s” we would have was that the area they have marked for HH guests to walk their dogs is very rough with tall weeds, grasses (some harmful to pets if eaten), road/parking lot rubble, etc. and sits behind the HH guest designated parking area. Also, be mindful they do have very bright 360 degree lights beaming all night from the two huge old fashioned windmills in their parking lot. While these do provide some excellent security, it may keep some folks up at night (they are bright!) Our bedroom is to the rear so at the other end of our rig from the bright lights and honestly did not bother us at all.

Our first night, later in the evening after dark 5 more RVs of various sizes came into the HH lot area. They parked on the extreme other side so that was great. Our second day, while we were enjoying lunch and then the sunset along the Skyline Drive a Class A rig came in and pulled in and looped around instead of backing in as hosts direct. This made for them parking literally about 15 feet from our RV. Since the majority of the lot was empty (only 3 others are far end) we were a bit perturbed that they had to settle themselves so close to us.

As with any HH stay, RV guests are encouraged to spend at least $30 during their stay to support the business host. Well, we far exceeded that between our lunch, our jelly and kitchen gadget purchases…and Kevin’s perfect Starlink “suitcase” we spent a total of $97.53 but the fact is….we also have everything (save the sandwich we split) to show for it like jams, kitchen equipment, etc.

This was our third visit to the Shenandoah National Park. We just love it!

We went from the Swift Run Gap entrance north, had lunch at the cafe at Big Meadow Visitor Center & Rest area (nice small museum and NPS store there too–and THE ONLY GAS STATION ON THE DRIVE!)

We traveled all the way to the north entrance, took our photo op and then turned around and headed back southbound on the Skyline Drive. NOTE: there is a FEE to drive the Skyline Drive, currently it is $30 (7 consecutive day access) but if you have the NPS Senior Lifetime All Access Pass, like we have, you get on for free! Check their website to see current fees and if any other NPS passes apply for free entry.

While on the Drive we stopped frequently at the many pull offs for photo ops and into the various NPS rest areas and NPS Visitor center/stores along this upper section.

Check out the beautiful sunset that we timed perfectly for our return down the Skyline Drive! (note- there is a 12’8″ max height tunnel on this section of the Skyline Drive.

If you are over 12′ we do not recommend taking your rig. There are also many tight turns and steep grades too) In 2019 we did take our 28 ft Avion but our height was only 11 ft max. This time, we only had our truck which was far better!

A nice visitor center to stop at is the historic SKYLANDS Lodge. We typically grab a coffee (Starbucks quickshop) and sit out on the open deck absorbing the views and sunshine. There is also a full service restaurant with floor to ceiling windows looking out into the Shenandoah We love the cement walkway coming from the parking lot which NPS has imprinted all sorts of animal tracks. Its a Must Do if you have children so they can guess the various animals! SKYLANDS also has lodging for those traveling just by car and want to stay and do any of the many, many hiking trails in the park.

We finished our day by pulling off into one of the many scenic overlook lots that faced west so we could take in a gorgeous sunset to complete what was a beautiful day! Check out this slide show below!

We landed in the perfect pull out rest stop on the west side of the Drive to enjoy a perfect sunset at 7:35 PM! Day complete!!

We sincerely hope you enjoyed this post and welcome your comments. Please give us a thumbs up if you enjoyed it so it makes it easier for others to find!

Happy Travels!!

Kevin, Luise & Nutmeg!